Bound By Magic And Moonlight

Point

er de

tside barely reaching the smooth, empty walls. No scent

canning the empty space, searching for something, anything, that might te

my nose, my jaw clenchi

mn

echoes in the hollow space, mocking me. I've searched countless places, followed every lead, but she keeps sl

nto the light, the fresh afternoon air a stark

dirt path, dust still clinging

oots crunching against

hell are y

htening my grip on the steering wheel. Another cave. Another dead end. Not a single trace of Hazel, no remnants of

the red Xs marking each failed attempt standing out like scars. I stare at the newest mark, the ink still fresh from the m

h longer can I keep this up? But giving up isn't an option, not when

oughly a day's drive from here. It's remote, deeper into the mountains, further off t

n the ignition. The engine roars to life, the familiar rumble grounding me

ave. One m

ead towards the unknown, determined to find

but now I have to stop. The gas gauge hovers near empty, and my stomac

ne. The place is quiet, with only one other car parked near the entrance. A few flicker

The cool evening air brushes against my skin, a brief moment of relief from the heat inside

robably from the hot food section near the register. I wander through the store, grabbing a bottle of wate

t red lipstick and kind eyes, flashes me a warm smile. "Wi

head. "Yes, thank you. I also f

rything up. I hand her the cash, grab m

gnition, my phone vibrates in my pocket. The sudden sound makes my

I glance at th

stomach. I hope

I bring the phone

teady but laced with something

oesn't sound panicked. "I'm fine, th

ing wheel tighter. Then Drake speaks again. "

her cave right now. What's wrong, Drake? I know you, you wouldn't call f

rm. "No, don't come home. But yes, something has happe

hen a wide grin spreads across my face. "T

s a weight in his tone that doesn't

don't sound ha

eeling in my chest. As long as Hazel is out there with that stone, Nicole will never be safe.

one is too powerful, and Hazel will do anything to protect it. If any

my chest. Nicole is one of my closest friends. I

"I promise you, I'll find her. I won't le

h I can't see him, I know this moment

" he says. "We're a

nodding my head, even though h

a deep breath. Then I start the engine, pull onto the road, and continue to

oughts still lingering on my conversation with Drake. The weight of my promise to him presses heavy

will settle the restless energy coursing through me. But before I can ev

ssenger seat, Colton. My pulse quickens.

ring it to my ear. "Hello,

"She's back. The witch jus

body ten

heart slamming against my ribs. "

sitate. "Yes. It'

s it. After three months of dead ends, of caves leading nowher

coordinates.

side of the road. A second later, my phone buzzes with the in

ours

pposite

make a sharp U turn, the tires kicking up dust and gravel. My foot presses hard aga

a mix of determinat

ng for y

*

l the engine. My hands grip the steering wheel tightly, my pulse hamme

es, its weathered wood and warm glow almost too peacefu

tense as I move towards the house, my instincts screaming at me to hurry. The front door is open,

p inside, my eye

rchment, her bright red hair falling over her face as she pores over somet

. The scen

to me like a punch to the gut, knocking the air from my lungs.

our eyes m

is m

m

e me rising to the surface in an instant. My hands clench at my sides as

s before I can stop it, de

Ma